Sailor Moon: Darkstone
By Andrew M Hujsak
Disclaimer: Sailor Moon and all names places and events used in the anime
and manga are copyright and/or registered to DIC, Bandai, Toei, etc.
Special thanks to Naoko Takeuchi for her wonderful creation.This Fanfic
is produced solely for entertainment purposes and is not intended nor
shall it be used for the purposes of profit. Any one is free to download
this story, however if they wish to post it at another location, I would
appreciate being notified.
This disclaimer should accompany any such posting.
Notices, comments, suggestions, flames, etc. please direct to me at:
andyhme@mix-net.net
Thanks in advance. Andrew M Hujsak
Authors note: I will be using the known names from the DIC translations
and the ones from the original Japanese where I don't know translations,
and will be making some up where I don't know either. So, please bear
with me.-AMH
Part Two -Sticks and Stones
(Global Satellite Network)
(NewsDesk, N.Y., N.Y., U.S.A.)
*****SPECIAL REPORT*****
"Due to the recent rash of unusual events that have been occurring
around the world, a multinational scientific team is being assembled by
the United Nations to investigate the apparent source in the northern
wastes of Greenland. The mysterious heat spot that had
started to melt the northern ice cap, then just as abruptly disappeared,
apparently originated in that area. Because Japan and England seems to
have had a greater share of 'unusual' occurrences, the majority of the
team will be made up from those countries. More reports will come as
findings are made. Jason Wright, GSN News."
************************************************************************
The Moon Crystal Star Locket, newly created from the melding of the
Imperium Silver Crystal and Moon Prism transformation brooch, lay
glittering in Princess Serenity's' hand.
"Mother," said Princess Serenity to the Queen, "It is the most
beautiful thing I have ever seen."
Queen Serenity smiled down at the Moon Princess. "There is much more
than beauty in the Locket, for the Crystal greatly enhances the magic of
the Prism. This will increase your abilities and afford you new powers in
defense and offense. I will not tell you of these, it is better if you
discover them for yourself, for you will be drawing on them from your
heart rather than from just knowledge."
"I understand, Mother"
"Now, there other matters that need to be attended to." The Queen of
the Moon turned her gaze upon the Sailor Scouts. "Princesses of the Inner
Planets, just as I am here to watch over my daughter, so there are others
who watch over you." This brought a look of startlement from the four
Scouts. "Due to the presence of the Negaverse, it had been unwise
for them to reveal themselves to you, though they had so yearned to, for
they had not the power of the Crystal to protect them. It is now time for
that to change." Queen Serenity raised her arms and intoned, "Noble
Houses of the Silver Millennium, send forth The Royal Court of the Moon
Kingdom!"
To either side of Queen Serenity, four glowing balls of light, one pale
green, one the blue of the sky, one a brilliant red, and one the color of
gold, formed and expanded to take the shape of four beautiful women, each
dressed in exquisite gowns matching the colors of their elemental auras.
Upon completion of their emergence, the four Ladies turned to Queen
Serenity, made a deep curtsy and said as one, "We answer your summons,
Your Majesty."
Queen Serenity made a gesture for them to rise. Speaking once more to
the Sailor Scouts, she said, "Princesses, because of your loss of memory
when I sent you into the future, you are not expected to remember these
four of my Court, but rest assured that they are whom I say. Princess
Jupiter, I present to you Queen Anomie of the Jupiter Kingdom, your
Mother from the Silver Millennium." As she spoke, the Queen of Jupiter,
the one in the pale green gown, moved over to stand by Sailor Jupiter.
Her eyes just got big and round, her mouth forming a big O.
"Mo...Mother?" Jupiter stammered. Then with the sudden release of
locked up memories, she exclaimed, "Mother!!" and almost threw herself at
Queen Anomie. "Oh, Mother, it's been so long!" tears welling up in her
eyes. "How I wish I had known you were still here, I wouldn't have felt
so alone after the death of my Earth parents!"
"Yes, I know." said Queen Anomie, gently holding her daughter. "It was
a terrible tragedy, one that no one should have to endure. I so wanted to
go to you, but with the Negaverse still a threat, and you had not yet
manifested your identity as Sailor Jupiter, by mutual agreement, it was
decided that it was not the proper time. I am here now and will be
whenever you need me. I love you, my sweet daughter."
Queen Serenity then continued on with the introductions. Queen Vestalia
of the Mars Kingdom (in red), Queen Thotis of the Mercury Kingdom (in
blue), and Queen Diameta of the Venus Kingdom (in gold). The reunions
with the other Scouts and their Queen Mothers released additional
memories for all, filling some very large gaps of their past selves.
They were able to conduct themselves with a bit more composure than had
Jupiter, having a little bit of warning and realizing what to expect, but
the scene was still very touching and emotional. The guests of the Scouts
were, to put it simply, in total awe.
"Mother," said Princess Serenity, "this is so wonderful, I am so happy
for my friends." her eyes sparkling from the tears of joy forming in
them.
"Yes, they all have needed each other for a long time. We shall let
them be for a few minutes before we take care of the next item." replied
Queen Serenity.
After about fifteen minutes of getting reacquainted and introducing of
the Queen Mothers to their Earth families and/or friends, the gathering
started to come to order. It was time to get back to the business at
hand. Queen Serenity began.
"Princesses, it is time to augment your powers as well, which is the
other reason your Mothers are here. Each of you are to receive Power
crystals from your respective planets, to be presented by each of your
Mothers. If you would, please produce your transformation wands." Each
Scout did so and Queen Serenity continued, "Noble Ladies, bring out the
Power Crystals." Each of the Queens' Court held out their hand and a gem
appeared floating slightly above their palms, but more than just gems, as
each had a distinctive radiance of pent up energy. "Princesses, take the
crystals presented by your Mothers and place them at the base of your
wands." Each of the Scouts did so, Sailor Mars taking the one that
appeared as a ruby, Sailor Jupiter the emerald, Sailor Mercury the
amethyst and Sailor Venus a colorless tourmaline with gold flecks
embedded within it. As they each placed their respective jewels at the
base of their wands, it seemed to merge and be absorbed by them. The
handles then reformed and the crystals reappeared in a latticework
at the base, permanently attached to the wands.
"The wands will become fully active with the crystals the next time you
call upon your transformations."
Princess Serenity had been watching the preceding when she felt
something rub up against her. It was Luna. She bent down, picked Luna up
and let her sit on her shoulder. Luna then whispered something to her. To
the guests in general, it looked like the cat had simply sniffed her
ear. With a bit of confusion showing, the Princess spoke to Queen
Serenity, "Mother, there is something I need to ask your advice on,
privately?"
"Very well, over here." and they went to the far side of the room,
where they spoke quietly for a few moments. Princess Serenity called
Sailor Venus over and a few more words were spoken. "Just for your
families, not for the others." said the Queen. The two girls nodded and
they all headed back to the rest.
"It is now time for us to depart," said Queen Serenity. "I implore you
that what you have learned here today must not be revealed to anyone else
beyond these walls. The results could have a devastating effect upon the
Sailor Scouts and possibly bring great harm to yourselves. Do not feel
obligated to treat these children with special privileges, for they
are yours and they must grow and learn as any other child of this world.
All I ask is when they are called to defend this world, do not hinder
them in their duties, for many others would suffer needlessly. Princess
Serenity, there is one last item for you." The Queen held out her hand
and a scepter formed in her grasp (you all know which one). "This is the
Royal Scepter of the Moon Kingdom, a powerful tool which will aid you.
Use it wisely, use it well. Remember, we shall be there for you in times
of need. Farewell." The Queen and her Court faded and vanished from
sight.
A few moments passed and the Moon Princess said "I think we can get out
of combat mode now." The consensus was of agreement and all five powered
down into their street clothes, becoming just Raye, Ami, Lita, Mina and
Serena once more. "Well, I think that covers most of it for now, so
unless anyone has something to add, I'd say the meeting is pretty much
over." Serenas' friends all indicated that they didn't have anything more
to add.
Serena closed her eyes, took in a deep breath and slowly exhaled it,
thinking to herself, "That is something I never want to go through
again." She felt a pair of hands on her shoulders, opened her eyes and
saw her mother, with her father and Sammy on either side.
"Are you all right, Serena?" she asked, genuine concern in her voice.
"Yeah, I'm fine, just kinda relieved that this is all over." putting
her arms around her mothers waist. Her father encircled both of them,
Sammy stood apart just a little. Serena noticed. "Sammy, what's wrong?'
"I... don't know. I guess I'm not sure who you are."
"What do you mean?"
"Well, are you my sister, or Sailor Moon, or this... Moon Princess?
Which are you?"
Serena released herself from her parents, thinking, "Poor kid, this is
going real rough on him." Kneeling, she lightly grasped his upper arms,
and said, "I'm actually all of them, but most of all I'm your sister, and
always will be, no matter what." She looked at him with her clear blue
eyes with all the reassurance she could muster. "Even though you are a
pain in the butt and irritating as anything, always remember that I do
love you." Sammy hesitated for a moment, then allowed Serena to give him
a hug.
After a minute, Sammy pulled back and said, "You know what really
stinks about all this?"
"No, what?"
"I can't tell anybody that my sis is Sailor Moon!"
"That's right, and don't you forget it." she admonished.
Serenas' father suggested that it was time to go home and let this all
sink in for a while. She said she would join them in a few minutes, that
she wanted to make sure her friends were alright. Her father said OK but
don't take too long. Everyone else was getting ready to leave, except, of
course, Raye, Chad and Grandpa.
"Do you folks mind if I borrowed my friends for a few minutes?" Serena
asked the guests. "They'll be right with you in a few." When the others
had left, she turned and asked, "Are you all going to be OK with all
this?" They all gave a positive answer. Then Lita asked.
"What did you and Mina talk to Queen Serenity about?"
"Well, it was Lunas' suggestion, actually. It was about whether or not
telling she and Artemus could talk. She said we should keep that to
Minas' and my families, that the rest didn't need to know."
Rayes' hand went up to her mouth and she said, "Oops." Mina let out a
giggle.
"What's the matter, Raye?" asked Serena.
Mina answered, "If you'll pardon a bad pun, the cats are already out of
the bag, as far as Chad and Grandpa go. Raye already told them when she
woke up after our return."
"Oh, good one, Raye." said Luna.
Raye pouted (just a little) and said, "I'm sorry."
"Well, I don't think any harm's been done." said Artemus. "At least we
won't have to be that careful about it when we have our meetings, seeing
how we hold most of them here."
Serena, not one to miss an opportunity to rib Raye, said, "And here
everyone's telling me that *I* have a big mouth."
"Can it, Meatball Brain." Raye snapped back. "I don't need any grief
from you!"
"Don't start, you two." said Amy. "We have enough to deal with to have
you start fighting."
"Amy's right," put in Mina, "we should go to our families and friends
and finish working this all out." After a moment the others agreed and
they went their separate ways.
* * *
The walk home for Serena and her family was done in silence, each
thinking about the days events, wondering if it was too much, wondering
how it was going to affect their lives with the incredible knowledge they
had gained. But Serena knew that there was one more shock in store for
them. So when they got home, even though it was getting late, she asked
them to gather in the family room.
"Mom, dad, Sammy, there is a little bit more that you should know, but
wasn't for general knowledge of the rest of the group." Serena paused and
took a breath. "You all noticed the marking in Lunas' forehead, and I
think the comment was that it was 'cute'. You see, she is from the Moon
Kingdom as well."
"Oh," said her mother, "was she your pet there as well?"
"Ah, no. She isn't really my 'pet' here , either. You remember that I
said yesterday that she was smarter than your average cat?" They nodded,
giving her a puzzled look. "Well, she's actually even smarter than your
average person."
"What are you getting at, Serena?" asked her father.
Biting her lower lip and hoping nobody would laugh, she blurted out,
"Luna can talk and she was sent here to be my guardian." Nobody laughed,
the day had enough weird stuff so that nothing else could be a shock.
They just looked at Luna.
Luna thought to herself, "I'd guess that's my cue." and she jumped up
on the coffee table and said, " That is correct, just as she said, and
Minas' cat, Artemus, is from the moon as well, and he can talk, also. We
were the Queens' advisors, and when Beryl destroyed the Moon Kingdom, we
were sent into the future to find the Sailor Scouts and the Moon
Princess in their reincarnations. And thank you, Serena, for the
compliment."
* * *
The cargo carrier-type aircraft circled the frozen tundra lazily, its
occupants eagerly looking out the few available windows. One of them
cried out and pointed to some odd shaped formations on the wasteland
below. The pilot was contacted via the intercom and was told to put down
at the nearest safe location. When the aircraft finally touched down,
they were about 3 km from the area they had seen from above. A check of
their bearings told them they were at about the 81st north parallel near
a place called Independence Bay.
As the group broke out the Snowcats and various sleds full of survival
and scientific equipment, they talked excitedly among themselves, quite
ready to get on with the expedition. From what they had seen from the
air, the journey will not be a wasted one. As they eventually got going
and approached the area, the odd formations they had seen got closer and
even more bizarre from ground level. There was one area that looked like
a huge detonation had taken place, leaving a crater almost a quarter mile
across and just as deep. Then there was a large outcropping of new rock
that might have been a lava bubble, but the nearest volcano was over two
km further away and appeared to be dormant. The next sight wasn't too
spectacular, just a small mountain, but composed purely of ice, glazed
over as if exposed to heat or a fire flash. The final outcropping,
however, was just spectacular, a pillar of twisting ice reaching thirty
feet in the air with the top splayed out like a giant ice flower, its
points reaching out and extending ten to fifteen feet over the edge
of the stem. Not far from there was what appeared to be the remains of
some kind of huge plant that was withered and burned as if struck by a
tremendous burst of high intensity energy. Like children on Christmas Day
opening presents from under the tree, the expedition members unpacked
their equipment packages and started setting up various scientific
sensing and monitoring devices. One group broke out and assembled an
ultralite aircraft, while another set up a sonar type device which
emitted ultrasonic waves used to map the substrata in the area. A third
contingent was setting up heat and radiation detectors near the crater.
The ultralite was soon assembled and a lone scientist with various
small devices packed onboard, took off into the air and circled around
while gaining altitude. Fortunately, it was a calm day, otherwise it
would not have been possible. The small craft swung around and
made a pass over the ice pillar to observe if it would be possible to
make a landing there. Not needing much of a runway, the pilot decided to
make a go of it and brought it to a safe stop on top. Unpacking the
equipment that he had brought with him, he made a few quick readings of
temperature and altitude, recording them in a notebook as he did so.
Getting out a set of binoculars, he started scanning the surrounding area
to see if there were any more unusual features to the land. A few moments
later, his two way radio buzzed and was excitedly informed by the sonar
crew that a large network of underground caverns had been detected on
their scanner. The scientist on top of the pillar was asked to look for
any kind of cave or entrance which might allow them access. Having
something specific to look for, it wasn't long before he spotted an
entrance about a kilometer off to the west southwest.
Informing the crew below, he finished setting up the rest of the gear he
had brought with him, making sure it wouldn't obstruct further landings,
and left the top of the ice pillar.
Upon landing, he went and joined up with the group that was setting up
the radiation detectors.
When everybody's' job of setting up equipment and camp was done, it was
starting to get late in the day, so it was decided that exploration of
the caverns would be put off until the next morning. Little did they
suspect what awaited them.
* * *
Monday morning, Tsukino household upstairs, a sound is heard, bzzzt
bzzzt bzzzt. A slender arm and hand reaches out from under the covers of
the bed within the room, grabs hold of the pillow and flings it in the
general direction of the noise, striking the source of the offending
discord and effectively silencing it. After a few moments, the person in
the bed realized what she had done and grumbled to herself, "Well, if I
don't get up now, I'll really be late." The time was 7:15 .
Meanwhile, downstairs in the same house, a woman with deep lavender
hair was fixing breakfast for her family. She had already placed a dish
of tuna on the floor for the black cat there with her. At the sound of
the crash from the upstairs, the cat, sporting a golden crescent moon on
her forehead, looked up and said, "I think Serena just killed her alarm
clock."
The woman started a little, then remembering the previous evening, said
"I guess it'll take me a little while getting used to the fact that you
can talk, Luna. And I think you're right about her clock. I'll give her
15 minutes then try calling her, though I'm not sure if that will
work. Oh well." sounding a bit dejected, knowing her daughters' sleeping
habits all too well. Luna shook her head sadly, knowing just what she
meant.
"Actually, "said Mrs. Tuskino, "I'm kind of glad to be able to have
someone else to talk to, what with Raymond being at work all day and the
kids at school, it does get a bit lonely here. And you've obviously
gotten to know Serena over the past year, perhaps you might have a fresh
view on what to do about her schoolwork. I don't know what to do about
her, I'm at my wits end."
"There are a few things that I could suggest. I've tried to get her to
study more, I know how valuable a good education is, but before now my
actions have been, shall we say, a bit limited. What I think her worst
problem is, she doesn't really know how to study, not effectively. She
lets the assignments appear much more complex than they really are. I
believe that if someone could show her how to break them down into
smaller bits, she might learn how to handle them. A tutor, perhaps, or
maybe one of those self help videos that have been advertised on TV,
though I don't really take much stock in them."
Mrs Tsukino thought about this for a few moments, then replied "That
may be worth considering. Pehaps I'll send a note with Serena to give to
her teacher, have her give me a call so we can discuss it, maybe come up
with some arrangements."
"Arrangements for what (yaaawwwnnn)?" Serena asked sleepily from the
doorway.
"For a way to improve your schoolgrades." said Luna. "You're going to
flunk out at the rate you're going. Not a good thing for a Moon
Princess."
"Serena," said her mother "You're actually up without being badgered
into it!"
"Yeah, well, I kinda figured I'd better, seeing how I kinda ruined my
last line of defense." Serena said, holding out her mangled alarm clock.
"I think I'm gonna need a new one." A pause as what Luna said sank in
through her half-asleep haze. "What do you mean, 'improve my grades'?
What are you two planning? Are you ganging up on me, now?" she whined.
"If that's what it takes, Serena. We're worried about you, we're doing
this for your own good. I do remember what Queen Serenity said, that you
must grow and learn. I'm sure the growing part will take care of itself,
but the learning will require effort on your part, and if that means
getting outside help, then that's what it will take. Lord knows nothing
else seems to have worked."
"And I fully agree with your mother, Serena." said her father from the
doorway.
"Daddy" she cried, whirling around, "how long have you been there?"
"Long enough to know what the conversation is about." he replied.
Serenas' mom wrote out a short note and placed it in her lunch bag. "I
want you to give this to Miss Haruna when you get to school, and I do
expect you to do it. Now, sit down and have breakfast, then you'll be
able to have a nice walk to school, instead of a mad dash."
"Yes, mom" Serena replied, a bit dispirited.
Sammy came in, blinked twice, and said, "Serena's up early? Is the
world coming to an end?"
"Oh, be quiet, you. It's no big deal!"
* * *
As much as she hated to admit it, the good breakfast and easy walk to
school felt good, almost invigorating. She wasn't hungry, or tired out
from a frantic dash to try to beat the last bell, but she was getting a
little put out by the stares of the other students who wern't used
to seeing her there on time. Even Lita and Amy were a little surprised,
but covered it quickly as they chatted for the few minutes they had
before class began. Miss Haruna came into the classroom, and looking over
the students, when she saw Serena already sitting at her desk, her
eyebrows gave a momentary twitch, then she smiled and sat down at her own
desk at the front of the classroom.
"Good, everyone is here. Yes Serena, what is it?" Serena had raised her
hand.
"I have a note for you from my mom."
"Very well, give it here, please." Serena walked up to the teachers
desk and handed it to her. Miss Haruna opened the folded piece of paper
and read it. She then looked up at Serena and said, "Tell your mom that
I'll call her this evening after supper."
"Yes, Miss H." Serena replied and went back to her place.
"Shall we get started with todays lesson. Please open your English
books to..."
* * *
That evening after supper, Serena was up in her room staring out her
window at the full moon. She had heard the phone ring earlier and knew it
was Miss H talking to her parents concerning her schoolwork, or lack
thereof, and what to do to bring it up. But that wasn't what was on her
mind at the moment, rather it was on Darien, wondering where he was, or
if he was even all right. There hadn't been any word, and she had even
stopped by his apartment, but the building superviser had told her that
he wasn't home and hadn't been for about three weeks. Serena knew that
some of that time had been due to Beryls' brainwashing, but after her
defeat, Serena thought that he would have come back if he had been able
to. It wasn't a good sign, not at all. She gave a deep sigh and thought
"Darien, I miss you so much."
She was drawn out of her reverie by the seemingly insistant beeping of
her communicator.
"Now what." she thought to herself as she opened up the channel. It was
Mina, uncharacteristically anxious.
"Serena, I tried calling on the phone, but the line was busy!" Mina
began before Serena even had a chance to say hi.
"Yeah, my parents are talking to Miss H. I think they're going to get
me a tutor or something." Serena said, a bit grimly, "Bummer."
"Oh." a pause, "Oh. Well what I'm calling about, you'd better turn on
the TV, to GSN news. There's some thing on there that you've *got* to
see!"
"All right, I'll check it out." She went over to the small television
set in her room, turned it on and tuned to the proper channel. When the
picture cleared, she let out a small screech.
End Part Two
Authors note: As always, comments, suggestions, praises and flames may be
directed to me.
THIS IS A NEW E-MAIL ADDRESS! andyhme@mix-net.net
Anyone out there know the occupation of Serenas' father and /or Minas'
parents?
"You don't believe me?..."
*Luna - A Moon Star is Born*